· Ortiz Landscaping & Tree Services
Many established neighborhoods have beautiful mature trees and thin, patchy grass beneath them. Shade is one of the most common reasons a lawn struggles, and it rarely fixes itself.
Why grass thins under trees
Grass needs sunlight to make food. Under a dense canopy it gets less light, and it also competes with tree roots for water and nutrients. The ground under trees can stay drier than open lawn, because the canopy intercepts rain.
Choose shade-tolerant seed
Among cool-season grasses, fine fescues are generally the most shade tolerant, and tall fescue handles moderate shade better than Kentucky bluegrass. A seed mix designed for shade will usually do better there than the mix used in full sun. Overseeding shady areas in early fall gives the grass time to grow before leaves come back in spring.
Mow higher in shade
Grass in shade needs every bit of leaf it has. Set the mower at the top of its range in shaded areas and avoid heavy traffic there.
Let in more light
Selectively thinning a dense canopy and raising low branches can increase the light reaching the ground. This is careful pruning, not cutting the tree back hard, and it should protect the tree's health and shape.
Know when to stop fighting
In deep shade, grass may never thrive. A mulched bed around the base of the tree, with a clean edge where the lawn begins, can look better than struggling turf and is better for the tree's roots than repeated digging and reseeding.
We can help in all three directions: seeding and planting for shade, tree trimming and removal to open the canopy, and a mulching service where grass will not grow. Call (609) 454-7355 or request a free quote.